Montana’s general hunting season ends, harvests down
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News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks
KALISPELL — Montana’s general deer and elk hunting season wrapped up Nov. 26, 2023.
So far this season, more than 8,100 hunters have appeared at regional game check stations. Harvest results at the regional check stations are slightly down compared to a year ago while the number of hunters reported is slightly higher.
As the season wraps up, Montana hunters can thank landowners for access and share stories through a new online portal. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering this opportunity to say thank you to landowners who have provided access and helped to make your hunting season great. FWP will collect these expressions of gratitude and share them with the specific landowners at the end of the season. Notes can be submitted online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/thank-a-landowner.
Other general hunting seasons still underway include turkey (Sept. 1-Jan. 1), and wolf (Sept. 15-March 15, 2024).
While the general hunting season has ended, hunters will still have opportunities into winter. Certain areas have continued elk hunting opportunities, and there is also Montana’s muzzleloader heritage hunting season for deer and elk, Dec. 9-17, 2023.
For an estimate of big game harvests from years’ past, visit https://myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/harvestReports.
Muzzleloader Heritage Hunting Season
The Muzzleloader Heritage hunting season is Dec. 9-17, 2023.
During the muzzleloader heritage season, a person may take a deer or elk with any unused license or permit that is valid on the last day of the general hunting season (i.e., Nov. 26, 2023).
Hunters can use plain lead projectiles and a muzzleloading rifle that is charged with loose black powder, loose pyrodex, or an equivalent loose black powder substitute and ignited by a flintlock, wheel lock, matchlock or percussion mechanism using a percussion or musket cap.
The muzzleloading rifle must be a minimum of .45 caliber and may not have more than two barrels.
During the muzzleloader heritage season, hunters may not use a muzzleloading rifle that requires insertion of a cap or primer into the open breech of the barrel (inline), is capable of being loaded from the breech, or is mounted with an optical magnification device.
Use of pre-prepared paper or metallic cartridges, sabots, gas checks or other similar power and range-enhancing manufactured loads that enclose the projectile from the rifling or bore of the firearm is also prohibited.
Many of Montana’s Wildlife Management Areas have seasonal closures from Dec. 2 through May 14. Before heading to the field, hunters should review the regulations for each hunting district they plan to hunt. A list of WMAs and seasonal closure dates are available online at: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management-areas.
Northwest Montana (Region 1) Reminders
Many private lands that were historically owned by corporate timber companies have changed ownership, and hunters should review the Block Management Program for Region 1 to view available public access opportunities and restrictions on private lands. Visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/block-management.
Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses should be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website at: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware.
The toll-free hotline for reporting wildlife poaching, property damage, and violations of Montana fish and game laws is in operation 24 hours a day. If you witness a fish and game violation, or property vandalism, you can report the crime by calling 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668); or report a violation online at: fwp.mt.gov. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
